The subject of this novel is one that has been tackled many times before... an abusive marriage.
The story in short: It all begins one day when Rose (the protagonist) sees a single drop of blood on the bed sheet. She decides that she must escape her nightmare marriage. She leaves the husband (Norman) to begin a new life and finds both a new place and a new man. Eventually the husband catches up with his fleeing wife. Amongst all of this there is a painting that she purchases with the words Rose Madder on the back which brings all manner of strange and supernatural aspects to this story about spousal abuse. Weird I will admit, but it worked, somehow.
The supernatural aspect actually enhanced the narrative of this dark, gruesome tale. Otherwise it would have been just another mainstream novel about an abusive marriage.
Stephen King is an author that can jump genres without a moment's thought and accomplishes what he sets out to do, successfully, nearly every time.
My only qualm is that his endings are rarely ever as good as the rest. However, his saving grace is his writing style. He sets of with a definite voice and is captivating, gripping and, this time, full of horror.
It was a good read.
Sergiu Pobereznic (author)
- Audible Audiobook
- Listening Length: 17 hours and 22 minutes
- Program Type: Audiobook
- Version: Unabridged
- Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
- Audible.com.au Release Date: 5 April 2011
- Language: English, English
- ASIN: B00NX5RAT8
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
5,577 in Audible (See Top 100 in Audible)
- #790 in Horror (Books)
- #160 in Horror (Audible)
- #1000 in Fantasy (Audible)